Members of the African-American leadership
network Project 21 applaud Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist
for his selection of Rear Admiral Barry Black to be the new chaplain
of the U.S. Senate. Black, a Seventh Day Adventist who is currently
the Chief Chaplain of the U.S. Navy, will be the first African-American
to hold the job of pastoral counselor to the Senate.

In making the announcement of Black's
selection, Majority Leader Frist said: "Admiral Black has
provided spiritual guidance to thousands of servicemen and women
during his 25 years of service. We're honored he has offered
to bring his moral leadership and counsel to the United States
Senate."

Black is also the first military chaplain
to be appointed Senate chaplain. He has earned masters degrees
in arts, divinity and counseling and has doctorates in ministry
and philosophy. He received the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Renowned
Service Award in 1995. During his military career, he has ministered
to members of the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard and their families
at the U.S. Naval Academy, in the first Gulf war and in Japan
as well as in several stateside postings.

Majority Leader Frist selected Admiral
Black from three nominees offered by a bipartisan group of senators.
The full Senate must still approve Black's appointment. Upon
approval, Black will provide pastoral counseling and other spiritual
services to the over 6,000 members, staff and families of the
U.S. Senate.

"The selection of Admiral Black
shows once again that the conservative majority in the Senate
is at the forefront of inclusion while their liberal critics
often just 'talk the talk,'" said Project 21 member Kevin
Martin. Martin is a Navy veteran and also hails from Admiral
Black's hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. Martin adds, "Bill
First is not only the leader in the Senate, but an all-around
leader when it comes to bringing diverse groups to the table
on Capitol Hill."